Aoife's arns drop to her sides as the boggles go, and the adventurers catch their breaths.
She nods at Val, preening a little under the fulsome praise. "A star chart, eh? No rush... I have no other pressing matters to attend to right at this moment, and I admit, it was fun to rescue those kiddies. I can see the little tykes looking much better already. Maybe they need a weapon to help them feel even better..." She looks over at the children and her eyes mist a little, as if picturing them practising swordfighting or archery like good little children do.
She looks down at her sweat-stained, battered leather armour. "If I'm going to be your muscle..." she catches sight of the equally "muscular" but shorter Finlay and stops. "Some of your muscle," she amends, bowing her head at the dwarf. "I'd really like some better armour. This stuff is barely keeping me in one piece, what with tinny soldiers and witches and whatnot. If anyone comes across something a bit sturdier that will fit my frame, I'd appreciate you giving me a yell."
Aoife regards the unicorn with awe and gratitude."Thank you for your help, sir unicorn. We appreciated your abilities back there, especially as it was keeping you away from your mate."
(I will wait for Finley to post when I will continue.)
Elidon is also outside meeting up with the party. Elkhorn says "I see your party is on a quest. I can look after the children as you continue onward"
(OOC: Starting the planning while we wait for Finley's post.)
Valrieth thanks Elkhorn. She doesn't think that Will of the Feywild would harm the children, but he's just a teenager himself. She feels better knowing that the doughty dwarf will stay with the children to protect them. She asks him, "Elkhorn, we didn't have time to ask. How did you come to Prismeer, and how did you end up as Granny Nightshade's prisoner?" In particular, Val asks whether he knows anything about Yon, the hag (Endelyn) who rules Yon, or Zybilna's palace itself. Val realizes that once they finish Finley's business with Bavlorna Brightstraw, they don't know that much about what's ahead. Perhaps Elkhorn has been in Prismeer for longer than the party and knows something about the third hag and her domain. Or about the Palace of Heart's Desire and how to free Zybilna.
Elidon says "Now that this matter is finished, I wish to see my mate. All of you can come along or I can go alone and meet with you later"
Val asks Elidon if he knows a shortcut to get back to Prismeer or even to get down to Nib's Cave. She says, "We must get back to Hither as soon as possible. Finley struck a bargain with the hag in Downfall, and we must be back there in about three-and-a-half days from now." If Will and Elidon don't know a faster way, the party will have to hike back through Hither all the way to where they left Clapperclaw and the balloon in just 2 days if they hope to make it back to Downfall in time. She leaves it up to Finley, but without a faster way back to Hither, she thinks that they'll have to leave Elidon for now and just promise to come back the Wayward Pool to reunite with him after they finish their business with Bavlorna Brightstraw.
She nods at Val, preening a little under the fulsome praise. "A star chart, eh? No rush... I have no other pressing matters to attend to right at this moment, and I admit, it was fun to rescue those kiddies. I can see the little tykes looking much better already. Maybe they need a weapon to help them feel even better..." She looks over at the children and her eyes mist a little, as if picturing them practising swordfighting or archery like good little children do.
Valrieth is again bemused by the mention of giving children weapons, but she chooses to focus on the rest and making sure that Aoife plans to travel with them.
She looks down at her sweat-stained, battered leather armour. "If I'm going to be your muscle..." she catches sight of the equally "muscular" but shorter Finlay and stops. "Some of your muscle," she amends, bowing her head at the dwarf. "I'd really like some better armour. This stuff is barely keeping me in one piece, what with tinny soldiers and witches and whatnot. If anyone comes across something a bit sturdier that will fit my frame, I'd appreciate you giving me a yell."
Val says, "Well, if it comes to that, I could prepare Barkskin, which would help toughen your skin so that you don't need armor! But maybe we can take you to Nib's Cave. I'd love to visit Nib again! It's fascinating. As a sort of penance, he spins gold into magical items. It was real fey magic! He wove this magic cloak for me. And Ilifir's gloves. And somehow even spun gold into that amulet that Finely wears. Maybe he could make you a magical breastplate or something?" Always the planner, Val says, "But first, we're headed back to the town of Downfall in the realm of Hither, which is ruled by Granny Nightshade's sister, Bavlorna. There was a store in Downfall, and if it's still there, maybe you could trade for some armor? Since you helped to defeat Granny Nightshade, you could use some of the items we took from Loomlurch to bargain with the fey proprietors."
"Oh!", Val says, realizing that Ilifir's candy has finally worn off. "And if you're sticking with us, you should know that Ilifir isn't actually a flying fairy. He's a..um...well, he's that." She points at Ilifir (previously described as looking like a young hobgoblin).
valrieth has twice now commented on what ilifir is, and a perceptive observer would note that he's starting to look a little bit guilty, but he pushes it aside again. "nibs worries me, but i have gotten significant use out of these gloves, so it could be a useful resource" he gestures to his clearly gloveless hands with a bright smile.
at some point in the discussions he makes the decision he had settled on earlier public "its probably unnecessary to say by now, but while i've left it deliberately up in the air whether i'd be sticking around. im with you till we find zybilna" he says firmly "and i should probably stop hiding so much of what i can do. if im going to be fighting with you then trust is a necessity" he taps the bell at his side "this helps me harmonize my magic, and while i can replace it, losing it would severely restrict my capabilities while its gone" the large centipede appears on his shoulder and back "this is spike, you've probably seen him interfering in fights, he's my familiar, beyond that you've seen my darts, thats what i do most of the time, the rest of my magic i need to use sparingly, and is primarily defensive or fire"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic byVitaly S Alexius
"Aye, thank ye all for yer kind help in this endeavor, aye?" Finley speaks up, "th' more muscle and magic th' better fer sure, especially with my limited time left to having a heart. Ah know, makin' deals is bad around 'ere, but ah felt like there were no other choice in th' matter."He looks back and forth between everyone, "We can find our friend, Zee, once we get rid o' me curse, aye?"
(OOC: Was Finley interested in trying to borrow, barter, or buy Elkhorn's armor for the next part of the quest? I thought that Elkhorn was wearing chainmail armor, and I'm sure that he was carrying a shield.)
Valrieth is thrilled. She says, "Thank you, Aofie and Ilifir! I'm so glad that you'll be joining our Quest. It's like having real friends! If we succeed, I hope that I can find Eudith and Hisashi and Gan-Re and the others again some day."
(OOC: We're still waiting to hear whether Elkhorn knows anything about Thither, Yon, or Zybilna and her palace that the party hasn't already heard. Val also asked whether Elidon or anyone else knows a "shortcut" to get us back to Downfall or at least down to the area where we left Clapperclaw and our balloon. Then we can finally take a Long Rest and decide how to proceed in the morning.)
She asks..., "Elkhorn, we didn't have time to ask. How did you come to Prismeer, and how did you end up as Granny Nightshade's prisoner?" In particular, Val asks whether he knows anything about Yon, the hag (Endelyn) who rules Yon, or Zybilna's palace itself. Val realizes that once they finish Finley's business with Bavlorna Brightstraw, they don't know that much about what's ahead. Perhaps Elkhorn has been in Prismeer for longer than the party and knows something about the third hag and her domain. Or about the Palace of Heart's Desire and how to free Zybilna.
Val asks Elidon if he knows a shortcut to get back to Prismeer or even to get down to Nib's Cave. She says, "We must get back to Hither as soon as possible. Finley struck a bargain with the hag in Downfall, and we must be back there in about three-and-a-half days from now." If Will and Elidon don't know a faster way, the party will have to hike back through Thither all the way to where they left Clapperclaw and the balloon in less than 2 days if they hope to make it back to Downfall in time. She leaves it up to Finley, but without a faster way back to Hither, she thinks that they'll have to leave Elidon for now and just promise to come back the Wayward Pool to reunite with him after they finish their business with Bavlorna Brightstraw.
Elkhorn says "I am a member of the adventuring band Valor's Call. We entered these fey lands to confront the League of Malevolence. My companions are Strongheart the Paladin, Mercion the cleric, Molliver the rogue, and Ringlerun the wizard. The League of Malevolence is a band of villains who seek power and was founded by Kelek a Sorcerer. Its members include Warduke the Helmed swordsman, Skylla the warlock, a priest of Orcus named Zargash, and Zarak the assassin. We followed League of Malevolence into the Palace of Heart's Desire by traveling on a stone causeway. We fought a mighty battle, but I was knocked unconscious and found myself in the prison in the kitchen."
The stone causeway in in Hither and was the first place encountered by Val and Finley. It was not broken when Elkhorn used it to reach the Palace of Heart's Desire.
Elidon shakes his head "The only way you could get their faster is if I flew a few of you to Nib's cave or to wherever is this Clapperclaw. I will not leave Thither before meeting my mate, but I can give 3 of you a lift"
Elkhorn says "I am a member of the adventuring band Valor's Call. We entered these fey lands to confront the League of Malevolence. My companions are Strongheart the Paladin, Mercion the cleric, Molliver the rogue, and Ringlerun the wizard. The League of Malevolence is a band of villains who seek power and was founded by Kelek a Sorcerer. Its members include Warduke the Helmed swordsman, Skylla the warlock, a priest of Orcus named Zargash, and Zarak the assassin. We followed League of Malevolence into the Palace of Heart's Desire by traveling on a stone causeway. We fought a mighty battle, but I was knocked unconscious and found myself in the prison in the kitchen."
The stone causeway in in Hither and was the first place encountered by Val and Finley. It was not broken when Elkhorn used it to reach the Palace of Heart's Desire.
(OOC: For the others, Finley and Val arrived in Hither with their original party at the southwest corner of this map, up on top of the causeway.)
Valrieth is surprised by this revelation. "Oh!", she says, "Was Zybilna still at the palace at that time? I mean, was she already frozen in time? I first took up this Quest at the request of a warlock named Madryck Roslof. He said that he lost contact with Zybilna years ago, but if you were at the palace before she was trapped by the hags, that must have been a long time ago. Then again, my parents always said that time in the Feywild flows differently than it does in Faerun."
Since Finley hasn't asked, she asks Elkhorn, "And...um...if you're going to stay with the children to ensure that no other evil befalls them while we work to restore Zybilna to her rightful place as Queen of Prismeer, do you think you'll need your shield and amor? Only...well...I only ask because Finley is coming with us. Hopefully, it won't be too dangerous for you in Thither now that Granny Nightshade is gone, but I fear that we'll face great danger before the end of our Quest. I mean, we defeated Granny Nightshade with your help, but there are two other hags still ruling other lands in Prismeer, and the hags aren't the only dangerous or evil fey in these lands. If Finley continues to defend us from tin soldiers and redcaps and bullywug knights, he could really use a shield or better armor."
Elidon shakes his head "The only way you could get their faster is if I flew a few of you to Nib's cave or to wherever is this Clapperclaw. I will not leave Thither before meeting my mate, but I can give 3 of you a lift"
Valrieth is a little embarrassed. She says, "Oh, no. We wouldn't ask you to leave Thither before returning to your mate at the Wayward Pool. I just worry that we'll get lost in the forest, and we won't get back to Downfall in time to fulfill Finley's bargain with the hag there. Of course, the hag will probably try to wriggle out of the bargain in some other way, but I don't want to give her an excuse to take Finley's heart!"
Aoife nods at Elidon. "I wouldn't mind a lift, if there's one going. Thank you for your continued assistance."
She bows her head slightly towards the unicorn.
Val looks uncertain. She says, "It is a very generous offer, but there are four of us, Aoife. It sounds like Elidon can only take three." She asks the alicorn, "Elidon, how long would it to take you to fly from here to Nib's Cave? And could you take, say, three people and a little squirrel?" Val wonders whether she could Wild Shape into something small enough to ride the alicorn along with the others.
"thats six hours, aye?" ilifir clarifies "you wont need to be a squirrel, just dont lose my bell, alright?, i'll tag along inside it"
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This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic byVitaly S Alexius
Aoife smiles broadly at the group. "That sounds marvellous! I'm glad we worked that out. I am not afraid of a good walk, of course, but if we need to get there quickly, this is the best option."
She turns to the children and fumbles in her pack. She eventually draws out a bear talon and presents it to the nearest kid, her eyes shining with sentimentality. "Children, I bid you farewell. I hope you grow up to become strong and fearless, unless the situation calls for fear, of course: don't be an idiot. Here is a claw from a bear I once hunted after it attacked some of my village. I kept it to remind me that even the biggest of challenges are not hopeless."
She bows slightly to the children and Elkhorn and looks expectantly at the alicorn.
"Aye, flying is quite an experience that ah'm looking forward to again," Finley says before glancing at the children briefly with a nod and a grin. He turns back to the alicorn and everyone else with a weary look.
Elidon says "Yep 6 hours will do if I hurry. Now get on"
Now Eldion has no saddle so flying at the speeds he intends to fly will be hazardous to anyone on his back as there are no place to hold onto unless someone intends to hold onto his hair, strong grip with their legs, or hug him hard around his neck.
What does the party plan to do to stay on Eldion's back. I know Ilifir has that handled being in a bell, but the rest are at risk of falling off midair.
Elkhorn pauses in thought "I am afraid I cannot give you, my gear. It's been with me through thick and thin. I plan to take them with me to my grave"
(OOC: Back on this...)
Valrieth shrugs, looking a little downcast. She whispers a prayer to the stars showing above the ruined Loomlurch, and makes one more attempt, "Well, noooo.....we couldn't ask you to give us your gear. But maybe you could lend it to us for a little while. Finley could leave his scale armor with you, so you wouldn't be defenseless. And we could give you some collateral in exchange for your shield. (We have 'acquired' some interesting treasures here in Prismeer.) Once we find Zybilna and restore her to power, we promise to come right back here to Thither and return your armor and shield."
Despite traveling many days with a dwarf, Valrieth is too tired to make a convincing argument. Or maybe Elkhorn is just a much less accommodating dwarf than Finley. (Sorry, Finley!)
"just dont lose my bell, alright?, i'll tag along inside it"
"Oh?!", Val says in surprise, "That's a fantastic trick." She looks at the bell, wondering how exactly Ilifir fits inside it, but she doesn't spend much time puzzling over it. Shape and size seem to be unusually malleable in the Feywild. Granny Nightshade near snuck away as a 4-inch tall version of herself. And Finley and Val themselves shrank down to 1/20 of their size in Bavrlorna's hut!
Elidon says "Yep 6 hours will do if I hurry. Now get on"
Unless Elidon has some restorative magic that makes them feel better rested, Valrieth asks whether everyone can get a good night's sleep first: "We could leave first thing tomorrow morning." Val isn't sure whether the alicorn gets tired or whether he slept at all while he was transformed into a wooden rocking horse. While Elidon may be well rested, the party and Will's gang left Little Oak this morning, rafted and then hiked to Loomlurch, and then took a rest and had dinner near Loomlurch. The party didn't even enter Loomlurch until 8:30 PM, and it must be nearly 10:00 PM now. It's a long day and Val is nearly asleep on her feet. Despite the urgency to get back to Downfall, she's afraid that she'll fall asleep on Elidon and tumble right off if they try to ride him before morning.
(OOC: Proposing a Long Rest for everyone before we ride Elidon back to Clapperclaw and the balloon.)
Now Eldion has no saddle so flying at the speeds he intends to fly will be hazardous to anyone on his back as there are no place to hold onto unless someone intends to hold onto his hair, strong grip with their legs, or hug him hard around his neck.
Val is too small to do anything other than grip Elidon's mane unless they somehow craft a harness or some sort of bridle-and-reins that she can hold. Val may still prefer to Wild Shape into a squirrel so that she can just ride along in one of Aoife's of Finley's pouches. If nothing else, we'll just have to do our best to hold on and and hope that Finley is fast with Feather Fall if anyone falls off.
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Aoife's arns drop to her sides as the boggles go, and the adventurers catch their breaths.
She nods at Val, preening a little under the fulsome praise. "A star chart, eh? No rush... I have no other pressing matters to attend to right at this moment, and I admit, it was fun to rescue those kiddies. I can see the little tykes looking much better already. Maybe they need a weapon to help them feel even better..." She looks over at the children and her eyes mist a little, as if picturing them practising swordfighting or archery like good little children do.
She looks down at her sweat-stained, battered leather armour. "If I'm going to be your muscle..." she catches sight of the equally "muscular" but shorter Finlay and stops. "Some of your muscle," she amends, bowing her head at the dwarf. "I'd really like some better armour. This stuff is barely keeping me in one piece, what with tinny soldiers and witches and whatnot. If anyone comes across something a bit sturdier that will fit my frame, I'd appreciate you giving me a yell."
Aoife regards the unicorn with awe and gratitude. "Thank you for your help, sir unicorn. We appreciated your abilities back there, especially as it was keeping you away from your mate."
Past characters:
Cariadne - Forest of Celador
Daphyra Fuffletail - The City of Cats
DM - Geek Legends - Wild beyond the Witchlight
Leela Steadystone - Adventures in the Sands
Mirri Goldenhorn - Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Lola Smythe-Whyte - Larkin Expedition
Daphyra - Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver
Vanja - Binder's Hold and the Problem with the Mine
(OOC: Starting the planning while we wait for Finley's post.)
Valrieth thanks Elkhorn. She doesn't think that Will of the Feywild would harm the children, but he's just a teenager himself. She feels better knowing that the doughty dwarf will stay with the children to protect them. She asks him, "Elkhorn, we didn't have time to ask. How did you come to Prismeer, and how did you end up as Granny Nightshade's prisoner?" In particular, Val asks whether he knows anything about Yon, the hag (Endelyn) who rules Yon, or Zybilna's palace itself. Val realizes that once they finish Finley's business with Bavlorna Brightstraw, they don't know that much about what's ahead. Perhaps Elkhorn has been in Prismeer for longer than the party and knows something about the third hag and her domain. Or about the Palace of Heart's Desire and how to free Zybilna.
Val asks Elidon if he knows a shortcut to get back to Prismeer or even to get down to Nib's Cave. She says, "We must get back to Hither as soon as possible. Finley struck a bargain with the hag in Downfall, and we must be back there in about three-and-a-half days from now." If Will and Elidon don't know a faster way, the party will have to hike back through Hither all the way to where they left Clapperclaw and the balloon in just 2 days if they hope to make it back to Downfall in time. She leaves it up to Finley, but without a faster way back to Hither, she thinks that they'll have to leave Elidon for now and just promise to come back the Wayward Pool to reunite with him after they finish their business with Bavlorna Brightstraw.
Valrieth is again bemused by the mention of giving children weapons, but she chooses to focus on the rest and making sure that Aoife plans to travel with them.
Val says, "Well, if it comes to that, I could prepare Barkskin, which would help toughen your skin so that you don't need armor! But maybe we can take you to Nib's Cave. I'd love to visit Nib again! It's fascinating. As a sort of penance, he spins gold into magical items. It was real fey magic! He wove this magic cloak for me. And Ilifir's gloves. And somehow even spun gold into that amulet that Finely wears. Maybe he could make you a magical breastplate or something?" Always the planner, Val says, "But first, we're headed back to the town of Downfall in the realm of Hither, which is ruled by Granny Nightshade's sister, Bavlorna. There was a store in Downfall, and if it's still there, maybe you could trade for some armor? Since you helped to defeat Granny Nightshade, you could use some of the items we took from Loomlurch to bargain with the fey proprietors."
"Oh!", Val says, realizing that Ilifir's candy has finally worn off. "And if you're sticking with us, you should know that Ilifir isn't actually a flying fairy. He's a..um...well, he's that." She points at Ilifir (previously described as looking like a young hobgoblin).
valrieth has twice now commented on what ilifir is, and a perceptive observer would note that he's starting to look a little bit guilty, but he pushes it aside again. "nibs worries me, but i have gotten significant use out of these gloves, so it could be a useful resource" he gestures to his clearly gloveless hands with a bright smile.
at some point in the discussions he makes the decision he had settled on earlier public "its probably unnecessary to say by now, but while i've left it deliberately up in the air whether i'd be sticking around. im with you till we find zybilna" he says firmly "and i should probably stop hiding so much of what i can do. if im going to be fighting with you then trust is a necessity" he taps the bell at his side "this helps me harmonize my magic, and while i can replace it, losing it would severely restrict my capabilities while its gone" the large centipede appears on his shoulder and back "this is spike, you've probably seen him interfering in fights, he's my familiar, beyond that you've seen my darts, thats what i do most of the time, the rest of my magic i need to use sparingly, and is primarily defensive or fire"
This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic by Vitaly S Alexius
"Aye, thank ye all for yer kind help in this endeavor, aye?" Finley speaks up, "th' more muscle and magic th' better fer sure, especially with my limited time left to having a heart. Ah know, makin' deals is bad around 'ere, but ah felt like there were no other choice in th' matter." He looks back and forth between everyone, "We can find our friend, Zee, once we get rid o' me curse, aye?"
Zylo Esstyrlynn - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
(OOC: Was Finley interested in trying to borrow, barter, or buy Elkhorn's armor for the next part of the quest? I thought that Elkhorn was wearing chainmail armor, and I'm sure that he was carrying a shield.)
Valrieth is thrilled. She says, "Thank you, Aofie and Ilifir! I'm so glad that you'll be joining our Quest. It's like having real friends! If we succeed, I hope that I can find Eudith and Hisashi and Gan-Re and the others again some day."
(OOC: We're still waiting to hear whether Elkhorn knows anything about Thither, Yon, or Zybilna and her palace that the party hasn't already heard. Val also asked whether Elidon or anyone else knows a "shortcut" to get us back to Downfall or at least down to the area where we left Clapperclaw and our balloon. Then we can finally take a Long Rest and decide how to proceed in the morning.)
(OOC: He could, my memory isn't very good but he would if they were interested in trading something, as he doesn't have much money.)
"Is there anythin' else ye can help us with Elidon? Equipment or tips or anythin' o' tha' nature, aye?" Finley adds.
Zylo Esstyrlynn - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
Elkhorn says "I am a member of the adventuring band Valor's Call. We entered these fey lands to confront the League of Malevolence. My companions are Strongheart the Paladin, Mercion the cleric, Molliver the rogue, and Ringlerun the wizard. The League of Malevolence is a band of villains who seek power and was founded by Kelek a Sorcerer. Its members include Warduke the Helmed swordsman, Skylla the warlock, a priest of Orcus named Zargash, and Zarak the assassin. We followed League of Malevolence into the Palace of Heart's Desire by traveling on a stone causeway. We fought a mighty battle, but I was knocked unconscious and found myself in the prison in the kitchen."
The stone causeway in in Hither and was the first place encountered by Val and Finley. It was not broken when Elkhorn used it to reach the Palace of Heart's Desire.
Elidon shakes his head "The only way you could get their faster is if I flew a few of you to Nib's cave or to wherever is this Clapperclaw. I will not leave Thither before meeting my mate, but I can give 3 of you a lift"
Aoife nods at Elidon. "I wouldn't mind a lift, if there's one going. Thank you for your continued assistance."
She bows her head slightly towards the unicorn.
Past characters:
Cariadne - Forest of Celador
Daphyra Fuffletail - The City of Cats
DM - Geek Legends - Wild beyond the Witchlight
Leela Steadystone - Adventures in the Sands
Mirri Goldenhorn - Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Lola Smythe-Whyte - Larkin Expedition
Daphyra - Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver
Vanja - Binder's Hold and the Problem with the Mine
(OOC: For the others, Finley and Val arrived in Hither with their original party at the southwest corner of this map, up on top of the causeway.)
Valrieth is surprised by this revelation. "Oh!", she says, "Was Zybilna still at the palace at that time? I mean, was she already frozen in time? I first took up this Quest at the request of a warlock named Madryck Roslof. He said that he lost contact with Zybilna years ago, but if you were at the palace before she was trapped by the hags, that must have been a long time ago. Then again, my parents always said that time in the Feywild flows differently than it does in Faerun."
Since Finley hasn't asked, she asks Elkhorn, "And...um...if you're going to stay with the children to ensure that no other evil befalls them while we work to restore Zybilna to her rightful place as Queen of Prismeer, do you think you'll need your shield and amor? Only...well...I only ask because Finley is coming with us. Hopefully, it won't be too dangerous for you in Thither now that Granny Nightshade is gone, but I fear that we'll face great danger before the end of our Quest. I mean, we defeated Granny Nightshade with your help, but there are two other hags still ruling other lands in Prismeer, and the hags aren't the only dangerous or evil fey in these lands. If Finley continues to defend us from tin soldiers and redcaps and bullywug knights, he could really use a shield or better armor."
Valrieth is a little embarrassed. She says, "Oh, no. We wouldn't ask you to leave Thither before returning to your mate at the Wayward Pool. I just worry that we'll get lost in the forest, and we won't get back to Downfall in time to fulfill Finley's bargain with the hag there. Of course, the hag will probably try to wriggle out of the bargain in some other way, but I don't want to give her an excuse to take Finley's heart!"
Val looks uncertain. She says, "It is a very generous offer, but there are four of us, Aoife. It sounds like Elidon can only take three." She asks the alicorn, "Elidon, how long would it to take you to fly from here to Nib's Cave? And could you take, say, three people and a little squirrel?" Val wonders whether she could Wild Shape into something small enough to ride the alicorn along with the others.
Elkhorn pauses in thought "I am afraid I cannot give you, my gear. It's been with me through thick and thin. I plan to take them with me to my grave"
"Yes, I can take 3 people and a squirrel. I can reach Nib's cave in a half days' time." says Elidon
"thats six hours, aye?" ilifir clarifies "you wont need to be a squirrel, just dont lose my bell, alright?, i'll tag along inside it"
This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic by Vitaly S Alexius
Aoife smiles broadly at the group. "That sounds marvellous! I'm glad we worked that out. I am not afraid of a good walk, of course, but if we need to get there quickly, this is the best option."
She turns to the children and fumbles in her pack. She eventually draws out a bear talon and presents it to the nearest kid, her eyes shining with sentimentality. "Children, I bid you farewell. I hope you grow up to become strong and fearless, unless the situation calls for fear, of course: don't be an idiot. Here is a claw from a bear I once hunted after it attacked some of my village. I kept it to remind me that even the biggest of challenges are not hopeless."
She bows slightly to the children and Elkhorn and looks expectantly at the alicorn.
Past characters:
Cariadne - Forest of Celador
Daphyra Fuffletail - The City of Cats
DM - Geek Legends - Wild beyond the Witchlight
Leela Steadystone - Adventures in the Sands
Mirri Goldenhorn - Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Lola Smythe-Whyte - Larkin Expedition
Daphyra - Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver
Vanja - Binder's Hold and the Problem with the Mine
"Aye, flying is quite an experience that ah'm looking forward to again," Finley says before glancing at the children briefly with a nod and a grin. He turns back to the alicorn and everyone else with a weary look.
Zylo Esstyrlynn - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
Elidon says "Yep 6 hours will do if I hurry. Now get on"
Now Eldion has no saddle so flying at the speeds he intends to fly will be hazardous to anyone on his back as there are no place to hold onto unless someone intends to hold onto his hair, strong grip with their legs, or hug him hard around his neck.
What does the party plan to do to stay on Eldion's back. I know Ilifir has that handled being in a bell, but the rest are at risk of falling off midair.
(OOC: Back on this...)
Valrieth shrugs, looking a little downcast. She whispers a prayer to the stars showing above the ruined Loomlurch, and makes one more attempt, "Well, noooo.....we couldn't ask you to give us your gear. But maybe you could lend it to us for a little while. Finley could leave his scale armor with you, so you wouldn't be defenseless. And we could give you some collateral in exchange for your shield. (We have 'acquired' some interesting treasures here in Prismeer.) Once we find Zybilna and restore her to power, we promise to come right back here to Thither and return your armor and shield."
Persuasion: 13, with bonus from Guidance
Despite traveling many days with a dwarf, Valrieth is too tired to make a convincing argument. Or maybe Elkhorn is just a much less accommodating dwarf than Finley. (Sorry, Finley!)
"Oh?!", Val says in surprise, "That's a fantastic trick." She looks at the bell, wondering how exactly Ilifir fits inside it, but she doesn't spend much time puzzling over it. Shape and size seem to be unusually malleable in the Feywild. Granny Nightshade near snuck away as a 4-inch tall version of herself. And Finley and Val themselves shrank down to 1/20 of their size in Bavrlorna's hut!
Unless Elidon has some restorative magic that makes them feel better rested, Valrieth asks whether everyone can get a good night's sleep first: "We could leave first thing tomorrow morning." Val isn't sure whether the alicorn gets tired or whether he slept at all while he was transformed into a wooden rocking horse. While Elidon may be well rested, the party and Will's gang left Little Oak this morning, rafted and then hiked to Loomlurch, and then took a rest and had dinner near Loomlurch. The party didn't even enter Loomlurch until 8:30 PM, and it must be nearly 10:00 PM now. It's a long day and Val is nearly asleep on her feet. Despite the urgency to get back to Downfall, she's afraid that she'll fall asleep on Elidon and tumble right off if they try to ride him before morning.
(OOC: Proposing a Long Rest for everyone before we ride Elidon back to Clapperclaw and the balloon.)
Val is too small to do anything other than grip Elidon's mane unless they somehow craft a harness or some sort of bridle-and-reins that she can hold. Val may still prefer to Wild Shape into a squirrel so that she can just ride along in one of Aoife's of Finley's pouches. If nothing else, we'll just have to do our best to hold on and and hope that Finley is fast with Feather Fall if anyone falls off.